The union representing the majority of Ontario’s Catholic school teachers has drawn criticism from Catholic clergy and parts of the Catholic community for its decision to march in this month’s World Pride parade in Toronto.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association voted at its annual meeting in March to join in the June 29 parade to show support for gay-straight alliances in schools and for members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. The union expects to walk behind its banner with other labour groups and is limited by parade restrictions to 100 marchers.

“Our presence in this parade is a symbol of our support for students, teachers and others in the LGBTQ community and the discrimination and persecution that they face,” said James Ryan, the union’s president this week. “I’ve also been very clear that we do support Catholic teachings on chastity … we’ve been very clear about what our participation means and what it doesn’t mean.”

Since the March vote however, the union has faced calls to withdraw from the international march from some school board trustees, parents, members of Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and criticism from Ontario bishops.

Mr. Ryan was summoned to a meeting with Toronto Cardinal and Archbishop Thomas Collins and St. Catharines’ Bishop Gerard Paul Bergie in late March where they voiced their concerns about the union’s plans.

In a statement released after that meeting, Cardinal Collins said the union had gone beyond its scope as a collective bargaining agent and as a result had made a wrong decision.

“This decision shows that they and the OECTA leadership have an inadequate and mistaken understanding of their faith,” wrote the cardinal, who is also president of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and whose statement was distributed to Ontario bishops.

“Cardinal Collins expressed the sentiments of all the bishops of Ontario indicating that we didn’t think it was proper for the Catholic [teachers’] union to participate in the pride parade,” said Thunder Bay’s Bishop Fred Colli on Friday. He added that OECTA’s participation “causes confusion,” among Catholics about what the union’s presence means.

While Cardinal Collins said Friday he supports and encourages compassion and understanding for gay people “in harmony with the gospel,” participating in the pride parade, where there have been displays of nudity and distribution of condoms, is not the “appropriate” way to do that.

“I find it very troubling and strange that [the union] would choose this particular event as a way of expressing that, when it seems to be going completely against what we believe in many ways,” said the cardinal. “That’s the point at which I would say, ‘Really? What are you thinking?’”

A Catholic parents group started circulating a petition against the union’s decision in early April and has gathered more than 5,000 signatures. Among its statements, the Parents As First Educators’ petition says OECTA’s decision “scandalizes the faithful,” and “appears to wilfully mislead the views of the children entrusted to the care of Catholic teachers, and sets the example that dissent can and should be openly practised.”

I find it very troubling and strange that [the union] would choose this particular event as a way of expressing that, when it seems to be going completely against what we believe in many ways

Catholic school boards have been asked by the group’s supporters, not always successfully, to pass motions asking OECTA not to participate in the parade and to consider consequences for teachers who do. One such motion failed at Halton’s Catholic school board May 20 because it could not get a seconder. Another, simply asking the union to withdraw, was passed at York Region’s Catholic school board April 29. Waterloo’s Catholic board passed a motion May 26 stating it respects the union’s right to make its own decision on how to show support for the gay community.

The fact the union still plans to participate in the parade despite criticisms “says to me that these people have the courage of their convictions and that they are true supporters and allies of the diversity in our city, including sexual diversity,” said Kevin Beaulieu, executive director of Pride Toronto, which is organizing the World Pride parade. “It’s a wonderful message of acceptance and love and welcome.”